The rehabilitation steps, donated by the Masonic Province of West Kent, will be in constant use by occupational therapist Claire Dudbridge and the team of Therapy Assistants. They will help them carry out discharge assessments and determine whether patients need adaptations to their homes before they can return.
Fundraisers at ellenor rely on the support of the local community when it comes to providing specialist services and equipment. So, they were delighted when the Freemason’s TLC Committee and the Provincial Charity Committee agreed to provide the £1,400 purpose-built steps.
Mike Bowyer-Jones, part of the Masonic Province of West Kent, said: “It’s all about being part of the community. We are pleased to help a local charity and want to keep that link going. It’s so interesting learning about all the different services ellenor provides.”
As well as end-of-life care, the in-patient ward at the Northfleet hospice now also provides short-term respite and accepts non-acute patients from local hospitals, which eases the strain on the NHS. These patients can be discharged from the ward when they are ready and able to go home. If their home has stairs, they will need to be strong enough to use them, so the rehab steps will be an invaluable piece of equipment.
Local Freemasons have shown their support for ellenor in various ways over some years. They work particularly closely with the children’s team, buying gifts and food at Christmas and Easter, and donating their Tender Loving Care teddy bears.
They have a good working relationship with Corporate Partnership Development Manager Jemma Kemp and when she approached them about the rehab steps, they were keen to help. They submitted the request to their Provincial Charity committee, who gave the green light.
Mike said: “We have had an ongoing relationship with ellenor for seven or eight years and we are very pleased to do what we can. The Freemasons do a fair amount of good work in the community. We have nearly 180 lodges in West Kent and our target is to raise £2.6million every five years. There is a difference between us and other charities – normally charities raise money, but we give money.